Say NO to David Seymour’s End of Life Choice Bill.

This bill’s vague wording could allow assisted suicide or euthanasia for virtually any New Zealander 18 years or older, who has a disability, a longstanding or ageing-related condition, a mental illness, or even severe depression. Read more here.

After carefully examining this complex issue we are convinced that legal assisted suicide in any form would put vulnerable Kiwis at risk: People who are elderly, disabled, mentally ill, dependent on others, in abusive relationships, depressed, grieving or otherwise emotionally vulnerable.

No ‘assisted dying’ law could adequately protect vulnerable people from abuse, coercion or pressure. Pressure can be subtle and remain hidden, like other forms of emotional abuse. Pressure could be external (for example from relatives or cost-cutting bureaucrats). Pressure could also come from an internalised obligation to “do the right thing” – to choose death because it would be cheaper than care and treatment.

Overseas research shows that safeguards are unenforceable in practice, especially when they are based on self-reporting – It would be up to the person administering the lethal injection to report whether they followed the process.

Assisted suicide is not the solution

The answer to suffering, illness or disability is NOT to legalise assisted suicide. All that would do is place vulnerable people in our families and neighbourhoods at risk. It would also undermine suicide prevention strategies in New Zealand.

The truly humane and dignified response is to ensure that everyone has access to the best physical, emotional, social and spiritual care they need, when they need it.

Find Out More

Take Action

Please urge MPs to vote against the bill from the outset.

The Seymour Bill is now postponed until after the September 23 general election.

The most effective way to influence MPs is to speak to them in person.

We encourage you to phone the offices of the MPs in your area to make appointments to meet with them (usually 10-15 minutes). Another way is to speak to them briefly at a local ‘meet the candidates’ event.